When making a long trip in a van, fuel expenses are the largest part of the budget. It is therefore necessary to plan a fuel budget. This is particularly true during the holiday period, when the vans are filled with lots of equipment. It should not be forgotten that certain reflexes make it possible to save fuel, especially during long trips. When traveling with a van, here are simple and practical tips to adopt to reduce fuel consumption.
Reduce fuel consumption by cleaning the engine with Excellium fuels
Certainly, the new ranges of vans are capable of achieving high performance. Yet they are also vulnerable to fouling. Which causes the deposit of soot in the particulate filters, the turbo, the EGR valve, the pistons and the cylinders. As a result, performance decreases. This is why the use of “ Excellium fuels ” is strongly recommended, to remedy all the effects of fouling. They contain detergents which clean the essential elements of the engine and limit internal friction. Excellium reduces fuel consumption and extends its life.
Van maintenance reduces fuel consumption
If you want to reduce its fuel consumption, you have to start following the manufacturer’s maintenance instructions carefully. Otherwise, the overconsumption can reach 20%. In practice, the regular replacement of various elements of the van is strongly recommended. Do not forget that the good health of your van depends on various checks and verifications. Indeed, regular maintenance will ensure the good condition of the van and reduce its fuel consumption. Seasonal maintenance is also essential to prolong the life of the vehicle.
Activia lubricant: a product designed to protect the engine and reduce its fuel consumption
The lubrication of the various moving parts of the engine aims to reduce friction and protect the metal surfaces from possible corrosion. Activia lubricant contains chemicals that improve the ability of its base oil to lubricate moving parts. Activia oils also optimize engine performance, reduce fuel consumption and polluting emissions.
Cruise control: a way to reduce fuel consumption
If your van is equipped with cruise control, switching it on can significantly reduce fuel consumption. This system is used on expressways and on the highway to save fuel. When traffic demands high attention and when driving in town, its deactivation is recommended.
Cut the engine for more than five seconds to reduce fuel consumption
If the duration of the stop exceeds five seconds, the engine must be shut down. By doing so, you reduce fuel consumption. Also avoid CO2 emissions into the atmosphere.
Good to know: When stationary, a van consumes an average of 0.8 liters of fuel per hour. If you turn off the engine over a year, you save 5-10% fuel.
Reduce weight when traveling by van for fuel consumption
Obviously, it is not easy to reduce the weight, especially when going on vacation with a van. However, it is one of the effective ways to reduce fuel consumption. Here are the tips to adopt to lighten the van:
- Remove useless and cumbersome objects: in reality, the heavier the van, the more fuel it consumes;
- remove the roof rack or box if not used: the rack reduces the aerodynamics of the vehicle. This increases fuel consumption.
Proper inflation can reduce fuel consumption
Driving on the road with under-inflated tires exposes motorists to many risks. In fact, it is a fuel overconsumption factor (around 2.5 to 5%), which should not be overlooked.
Under-inflated tires reduce the ratio of kilometers to fuel consumption by 0.3%, for 1 bar less on each tire. These figures are obtained from the results of a study carried out by the United States Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency. Yet, with the tires inflated to the correct pressure, motorists can improve this ratio by around 3.3%.
Checking the pressure of each tire before each trip is therefore a gesture to adopt. Checking your tire pressure monthly is also essential. Ideally, it is carried out cold, either two hours after stopping the van, or after having driven less than 03 km. The tires are hot after driving for several kilometres. This increases the pressure inside. It is recommended to add 0.2 bar when settling in the winter period to compensate for the effect of low temperature.
Drive slower to reduce fuel consumption
Reducing highway speeds by 10 km/h with the majority of conventional vehicles reduces their fuel consumption.
Engine braking: the real trick to reducing fuel consumption downhill
When braking, do not hesitate to use the engine brake to reduce fuel consumption and avoid the use of the emergency braking system. Downhill or on the flat, using the engine brake slows down the van without consuming additional fuel.
On the road, the driver just has to downshift little by little without touching the brake. Just put your foot above the pedal and activate it immediately in case of emergency braking.
If you want to go on vacation in a van or converted van, count on the services offered by VAN IT. You can rent a van for long stays or for a weekend, in just a few clicks. Many options are available: chemical toilets, camping chairs and tables, bicycles and bicycle racks, solar shower… Our vans are equipped with all the necessary elements for your comfort. They are practical and do not fail to seduce you during your trip.
A regularly updated list of campervans for sale is available on our website. Discover here all our vans for rent. If you want more information, discover our tutorials and travel experiences already made on our YouTube channel.